WATCH ABOVE: Calgary couple found guilty in the murder of Meika Jordan. Nancy Hixt reports.
CALGARY – A Calgary couple has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Meika Jordan three and a half years ago.
Spencer Jordan, 29, and Marie Magoon, 25, stood trial on charges of first-degree murder in the death of Jordan’s six-year-old daughter in November, 2011.
“We got her justice for her, and that’s what we’re happy for,” said Meika’s mother, Kyla Woodhouse. “We’re not going to let them ever forget about this, the public is not going to let them forget about it, the people on the inside are not going to let them forget about it.”
On Wednesday, a judge found them guilty on lesser charges of second-degree murder with both receiving an automatic sentence of life in prison. A sentencing hearing will be held in September to determine parole eligibility; the Crown plans to push for a high parole ineligibility, likely in the 20-year range.
“Second-degree isn’t what we wanted, but … at the end of the day it does not matter the degree you are charged with—guilty is guilty, and you are both child murderers,” said Meika’s stepfather, Brian Woodhouse.
“They lose a few years of their life…we lost her.”
Jordan and Magoon were each accused of abusing and torturing the girl for four days before she was rushed to hospital unconscious. She eventually died of blunt force trauma and abdominal injuries.
In a lengthy ruling, Justice Rosemary Nation went through all of the six-year-old’s injuries, and pointed at both her father and stepmother for inflicting the horrible injuries. The judge rejected an argument from the defence that Meika’s injuries were caused by a fall down the stairs. She said both Jordan and Magoon delivered blows capable of being fatal and each caused Meika’s death.
The judge went on to say “both were willfully blind to her deteriorating neurological condition”.
READ MORE: Head, abdominal injuries caused Meika Jordan’s death
The key evidence in the trial was a “Mr. Big” undercover sting operation which was found admissible in April.
During the secretly-videotaped sting, both Jordan and Magoon made graphic confessions about abusing and torturing Meika.
Crown lawyers said the couple acted together in the abuse that ultimately killed the young girl.
“Often times in a domestic homicide where there’s a child victim, we never know what actually happened to that child,” said Crown prosecutor Susan Pepper. “In this case, because of the work the Calgary Police Service did—especially in the undercover operation—we do know what happened to Meika.”
READ MORE: Paramedics testify at Meika Jordan murder trial
The charges of first-degree murder were never based on it being a premeditated crime, as is often the case. Rather, police and the prosecution alleged Meika was unlawfully confined while the fatal blows were being delivered. The judge ruled the Crown did not prove the confinement, but did prove the murder; thus the second-degree murder conviction.
At the request of the defence, Magoon will undergo a psychological evaluation before September’s sentencing hearing.
“The psych evaluation, I think, will show that there are certain features of my client’s upbringing that may have contributed to her being in this situation,” said Magoon’s defence lawyer Allan Fay.
Meika’s mother and stepfather say they now feel some peace, and are ready to finally begin healing.
With files from Melissa Ramsay and Lisa Geddes
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